NORMAL — Illinois State's football game against the University of Illinois at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Sept. 4 won't be happening.
The Big Ten Conference announced Thursday its league members will be playing only conference games in the 2020 season. That means ISU won't be traveling east on Interstate 74 for a reported $450,000 payout from the Illini.
Unless ISU can find another game, its season opener will be Sept. 12 against Eastern Illinois at Hancock Stadium.
The following message was posted on Illinois' web site:
"As we hope you are, those of us with the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics are encouraged by today's announcement from the Big Ten Conference regarding plans to resume sports competitions during the coming fall.